Portland’s Industrial Waterfront Undergoing Changes; Local Input Sought

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,730)

The public is invited to attend an informational public meeting on the rail corridor and existing lay down yard expansion at the Portland International Marine Terminal on West Commercial Street.  The meeting is set for (tomorrow) Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00 pm at the State of Maine Room at Portland City Hall, Congress Street.  The work to be discussed will include relocation of rail track, reconfiguration and expansion of the IMT container  yard and  signalization of  the Beach and Commercial Street intersection.

Representatives of the Maine Department of Transportation will be present to listen to concerns and answer questions from anyone with an interest in the project.  The Department is particularly interested in learning local views related to project with comprehensive plans, discovering local resources and identifying local concerns and issues.

The changes are necessary to accommodate the shipping growth projected for the western area of the waterfront.  Bringing rail to the already well developed transit area would make the industrial area of the waterfront a complete multi-modal facility needed to continue to support the growth of Eimskip, a North Atlantic container shipping company.

Any inquiries regarding this project may be addressed to Joel Kittredge, Project Manager, MaineDOT, Bridge Program at 207 – 624-3550 or joel.kettredge@maine.gov.